New Residency Pathway for Skilled Tradies

by Team Tradify, August 20, 2026

The Trades and Technician Pathway is a new route to New Zealand residence, starting from 24 August 2026. It's built around trade quals and real on-the-job experience, not a degree or a top-dollar wage. It covers roles like electricians, plumbers, builders, HVAC technicians, and welders.

The tradie take: this is a good move for trades. It puts on-the-tools experience on the same footing as a degree, gives employers a real retention tool, and gives skilled migrant tradies a clear, achievable path to stay for good.

Low on time? Skip ahead

What is the New Zealand Trades and Technician Residence Pathway?
Who qualifies for the Trades and Technician Pathway?
What does the new residency pathway for skilled tradies mean if you're a trade employer?
New residency pathway for skilled tradies for trade workers
How to apply for NZ residency through the Trades and Technician pathway?
The admin side of running a team

1. What is the New Zealand Trades and Technician Residence Pathway?

The Trades and Technician Pathway is a new route to residence under New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), open from 24 August 2026. Unlike the broader SMC, which has usually favoured degree-level qualifications and higher wage thresholds, this pathway is built around trade quals and real on-the-job experience. If you've put in the years on the tools and hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification, this immigration route is designed for you.

It's also worth being clear about what it isn't. It's not an open door. There are occupation, wage, qualification and work-history requirements behind it. But if you meet them, it's a genuine route to permanent residency for you and your family, with access to KiwiSaver, ACC, and public services.

2. Who qualifies for the Trades and Technician Pathway?

To be eligible from 24 August 2026, you need to meet all four of the following criteria.

1. Work in an eligible occupation

Covers ANZSCO skill level 1–3 trades, including electricians, plumbers, drainlayers, builders, HVAC/refrigeration mechanics, welders, and more.

Check the full list on the Immigration NZ website.

2. Hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification

You to be on the NZ Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), Level 4 or above. NZ quals need 120+ credits. Overseas quals may need an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA).

3. Have at least 4 years of post-qualification work experience

This must be directly relevant experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation, gained after you received your qualification. At least 18 months of this experience must have been completed in New Zealand, paid at or above the median wage. Work done before you qualified doesn't count, even if it was in the same trade.

Self-employed? It doesn't count. Immigration NZ has confirmed sole trader work can't be used as experience under this pathway. Only time spent as an employee counts. If you've been running your own business as a sole trader, that time won't count toward the requirements, even if the work itself was in your trade.

4. Have at least 18 months of that experience in New Zealand

Must be paid at or above the SMC median wage, within a set lookback window. Timing is the thing most likely to trip people up; get it wrong, and your application can be declined.

Not every trade-sounding job qualifies as you'd expect. Some roles sit on the Red or Amber lists instead, which changes what's required:

Red List — not eligible for this pathway at all
Amber List — not eligible for this pathway either, but a different route (Skilled Work Experience) may apply, with tougher terms (5 years' experience, 2 of them at 1.2× median wage)

Check your occupation and ANZSCO code at immigration.govt.nz before assuming this pathway applies to you.

3. What does the new residency pathway for skilled tradies mean if you're a trade employer?

It means that it'll be easier for you to keep your skilled migrant tradies for good. If they've got the trade quals and on-the-tools experience, they don't need a fancy degree or top-dollar wage to get residency anymore. That means less visa juggling, less risk of losing good staff when their work visa runs out, and more certainty when you're planning your crew long-term.

Residence is one of the strongest retention tools you've got. A worker who can see a clear path to residency through working for you is more likely to stay, and it means a more predictable pipeline through Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV), without paying well above median wage.

A few things worth knowing:

AEWV extensions. Workers on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) may be able to extend their visa to complete the work experience needed for residence. Immigration NZ has indicated this will be possible but confirm the current position at immigration.govt.nz before advising any worker.
Wages matter. The 18 months of NZ experience must be paid at or above the SMC median wage. Make sure your employment agreements reflect this accurately, and that payslips are consistent.
Records are the evidence base. Payslips and employment records are what a worker uses to support a residence application. Consistent, accurate records from day one makes the process smoother for everyone.
Employer accreditation. To hire migrants on an AEWV, you need to be an accredited employer. If you're thinking about building your team with skilled migrant workers, getting accreditation in place early gives you the most flexibility.

Being able to explain this pathway clearly to potential workers and demonstrate that you pay fairly and keep good records is a real advantage over employers who can't.

4. New residency pathway for skilled tradies for trade workers

If you're a skilled tradie on a work visa in New Zealand and think you might qualify, the most important thing you can do right now is start keeping proper records of your experience.

Make sure your pay slips reflect the required wage rate
Keep your employment agreements and qualification documents in order
Note the date you received your qualification — your post-qualification experience clock starts there
Check whether your occupation is on the eligible list, and whether it appears on the red or amber list
If you're offshore, think about applying for an AEWV now to start clocking NZ experience before the pathway opens

The lookback windows and date requirements are specific. Getting the timing wrong can mean a declined application. A licensed immigration adviser can map your experience against the confirmed requirements before you apply. Find one at iaa.govt.nz. Avoid unlicensed advisers, as providing immigration advice without a licence is illegal in New Zealand.

A successful residence application covers you and your family. Partners may be eligible for open work visas, and dependent children can access schooling. Check the current family inclusion rules at immigration.govt.nz.

5. How to apply for NZ residency through the Trades and Technician pathway?

The pathway opens 24 August 2026, and you apply online through the Immigration NZ portal. Here's the general process:

Secure a role with an accredited employer in an eligible occupation. If you're not already in New Zealand, an AEWV is the starting point. Check your employer's accreditation status and confirm your occupation is on the eligible list.
Build your NZ experience. You need at least 1.5 years of post-qualification work in New Zealand, paid at or above the SMC median wage. Track your pay slips and employment agreements from day one. IRD income summaries can also support your application.
Gather your evidence. You'll need your qualification certificate (and an IQA report if it was gained overseas), pay slips and employment agreements covering your full work experience period, and evidence that your NZ experience falls within the required lookback window.
Lodge online. Via the Immigration NZ portal from 24 August 2026. Processing times vary, and health and character checks are part of the process.

Get advice if you're not sure. A licensed immigration adviser can check your eligibility before you apply and help you avoid common timing errors. Find one at iaa.govt.nz.

6. The admin side of running a team

For trade employers, this pathway is a reminder that the paperwork behind your team is as important as the work. You need to get in order their pay slips, employment agreements, and accurate job records. They're going to be what your workers need to build their futures here.

Tradify keeps job records, timesheets, and invoicing in one place, so the information is there when you need it. If you're running a team and want to get on top of the admin side, try Tradify free for 14 days.

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NZ Trades and Technician Residency Pathway FAQs

What is the NZ Trades and Technician Pathway?

It's a new residence pathway under New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category, opening on 24 August 2026. It's designed for migrants working in specified ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 trades and technician occupations. Unlike the broader SMC, it doesn't require a premium wage or a degree. It recognises trade qualifications and on-the-tools experience as the basis for residence.

When does the Trades and Technician Pathway launch?

24 August 2026. Applications are lodged online through the Immigration NZ portal from that date. Check immigration.govt.nz for any updates to the launch date.

Who is eligible for the Trades and Technician Pathway?

To be eligible, you need to: work in an eligible occupation on the Immigration NZ list; hold a relevant Level 4 or above qualification (120+ credits if NZ-gained); have at least 2.5 years of post-qualification work experience in an ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 occupation; and have at least 1.5 years of that experience in New Zealand, paid at or above the SMC median wage, within the required lookback window.

Do I need a degree to apply?

No. The pathway is specifically designed to recognise trade qualifications at Level 4 or above, not degree-level qualifications. That's what makes it different from the broader SMC.

Does the experience have to be post-qualification?

Yes. All work experience counted toward the pathway must be gained after you received your qualification. Work done before you qualified doesn't count, even if it was in the same trade.

What is the SMC median wage, and where do I find the current rate?

The SMC median wage is the minimum hourly rate your NZ work experience must be paid at to count toward the pathway. The current rate is published at immigration.govt.nz. Check it before applying, as it is updated periodically.

What are the red and amber occupation lists?

Immigration NZ maintains lists that affect which SMC pathway is available for certain occupations. Red List occupations have fast-track access; Amber List occupations face stricter requirements on some pathways. Some roles that look like obvious fits for the Trades and Technician Pathway appear on these lists instead. Check your occupation at immigration.govt.nz and get advice from a licensed immigration adviser if you're unsure.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. A successful residence application covers you and your family. Partners may be eligible for open work visas, and dependent children can access schooling. Check the current family inclusion rules at immigration.govt.nz.

As an employer, do I need to do anything?

Not directly — the residence application is your worker's to make. But accurate payslips and employment records are the evidence base for their application. Keeping consistent, accurate records from day one makes the process smoother. If you employ workers on an AEWV, check whether they can extend their visa to complete the NZ experience requirement.

Where do I find a licensed immigration adviser?

At iaa.govt.nz. Only use licensed advisers — providing immigration advice without a licence is illegal in New Zealand.